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Too risky to keep Dewars track open

KEEPING Dewars (⿿Durrs⿿) Track open is too high a risk, staff have told the Wanneroo City Council.

Briefing elected members on Tuesday night, the City’s assets director Harminder Singh said issues such as maintenance and non-compliant use of the track had continued since last year’s temporary closure and upgrades.

“Track users are not using the track for its intended purpose,” he said. “We have over 100 signs on that site but still there’s instances of non-compliant behaviour there.”

Chief executive Daniel Simms said the access track allowed people to park close to, then walk to, Dewars beach to surf or fish.

Mr Simms said Two Rocks residents had regularly reported issues at the track and nearby streets.

“The community has been very proactive in assisting us in understanding the degree of non-compliance,” he said.

Councillors asked whether closing the track would stop drivers of off-road vehicles, how it would be policed and why staff recommended it close three days after the December 8 council meeting. “The residents on that street will go through hell that weekend (if it closes on December 11),” Cr Dot Newton said.

Mr Singh said due to the safety risks, staff wanted to close the track as soon as possible.

Mr Simms said the City planned to introduce a coastal rangers unit this summer and patrolling the beach at Two Rocks would be part of its role.

A report on the December 1 briefing session agenda included results of a risk assessment by LGIS Risk Management.